Poker has its lexicon of terms and expressions, and it’s no different from hand nicknames. Many players have gotten very creative with the cards they use and the game itself, which has led to various nicknames for their hands. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most popular poker hands nicknames.
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Pocket Kings – Cowboys
Pocket kings are one of the most famous poker hands nicknames. When you play poker, the hand you’re holding is crucial to your success. In Texas Hold’em, the pocket kings, also known as pocket rockets, are the best starting hand. They are nearly as strong as the cowboys and are virtually impossible to fold pre-flop. They are also commonly involved in some of the sickest coolers in poker.
After pocket aces, pocket kings are the second most substantial starting hand. Their equity is close to 75%, making them one of the most potent pre-flop holdings. They’re considered strong enough to stack off in most pre-flop situations.
Pocket Queens – Ladies
Consider pocket queens if you like the sound of feminine poker hand nicknames. These cards are considered the most powerful in the poker game. Hence, they have many nicknames based on their names and appearances. Some of these nicknames are listed below.
Pocket Queens-Ladies, as poker hand nicknames, come from various sources. Interestingly, some of these nicknames are based on music and popular culture. One of the most famous nicknames is Apple Jack, a popular American breakfast cereal. Another popular nickname is the Hijack, which refers to a hand with an Ace and a Jack. Another popular poker hand nickname is “the King,” a reference to the singer Elvis Presley.
The Ace-King-Queen hand has many other nicknames based on movies and popular television shows. Some are non-politically correct, while others are based on historical events. Ace-King-Queen has been nicknamed the Atom Bomb and the Titanic – the famous steamship. Although the Titanic was once considered unsinkable, it eventually ran aground and sank. The Ace-King-Queen hands are, therefore, a little like Titanic and susceptible to bad luck.
Pocket Jacks – Hooks
While the pocket jack is often referred to as the “fish hook” because it resembles a fish hook, this isn’t the only name for this type of hand. Other nicknames for this hand include the ‘jaybirds,’ the ‘boss,’ the “jibber-jabber,” and the “dimes.” As the name suggests, these hands are often a good place to win!
Several other names have been used for this hand, including ‘Pocket Jesse James,‘ after the famous poker player who was shot dead with a Colt 45. Another nickname is the “Big Slick,” which is fitting, as it could either result in a win or a loss. Another popular hand nickname is the ‘Ace-King,’ based on its initials-AK. Likewise, the ‘Rocket Queen’ refers to Guns N’ Roses’ song.
Pocket Jacks: Hooks are a subtype of Jack, and the name is a play on the terms of famous people and items. Prominent poker players have given these hands nicknames, and you can find some great examples of these names on the Internet. In addition to being nicknamed after famous musicians, you can even call them after renowned TV shows and movies.
Pocket Tens – Dimes
You may have heard of Pocket Tens as “nickels” or “pennies” in poker, but you might not know how they are related to the tens and dimes of your wallet. Luckily, there are some great nicknames for the tens and dimes in poker. These nicknames have meaning for poker players and can improve your game.
In poker, there are 169 different starting hands and 1326 possible combinations. Improvising comedian Antonio Esfandiari first coined the term. It was his favorite hand and referred to his Persian heritage. He used it in his popular television show, Poker After Dark, and the commentary track of the World Poker Tour Season 2 DVD set.
Ace King Big Slick and Anna Kournikova
The ace-king hand is one of the most popular poker hands and has several nicknames. Its name comes from the initials AK, which are the initials of the Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova. Another handle for this hand is “Walking Back to Houston,” referencing a famous oil spill in Santa Barbara in 1969. The writing is also nicknamed Anna Kournikova by Texas road gamblers, who call it the Anna Kournikova.
Other poker hand nicknames include Anna Kournikova, Big Slick, and Santa Barbara. The Ace-King duo has a high starting hand value but generally depreciates as it does not hit the flop. Despite this, some players are willing to call big bets with unimproved big slick and use Anna Kournikova instead.
Final words
A variety of people know the game of poker by hand names. For example, the Ace is often called Big Slick. A more derogatory version of the Ace is called Big Slut. Other words are taken from pop culture. An unfortunate couple of hearts in the Shakespeare play Othello are sometimes called the King and Queen of Hearts. Another hand nicknamed Rocket Queen comes from the song of the same name by Guns N Roses from their album Appetite For Destruction. Another common poker hand nickname is “Blackjack,” which refers to the game of 21.
Other poker hand nicknames include “Tarantino hand,” which refers to the renowned film director Quentin Tarantino. Ajax, meanwhile, refers to the pair of Aces and Jacks. Aside from that, Ace and Jack are also known as the Hijackers. Another popular nickname for Ace and Jack is the “Bookends.” This hand has a particular meaning in poker because it is a pair of cards that seem to be “bookends” to each other.